Om Spa Chiropractic & Wellness presents
THE PILLOWMAN
by Martin McDonagh
(Olivier Award for Best New Play 2004 and
Tony Nomination for Best Play 2005)

ABOUT THE PLAY

A smash hit on  London and Broadway stages, Martin McDonagh’s THE PILLOWMAN  haunts the  ATC stage November 9 through December 1, 2007. Set in an unnamed totalitarian  state, this psychological thriller chronicles the interrogation of author  Katurian (Billy Ensley), whose ghoulish short stories bear an uncanny  resemblance to recent murders in the community. With his brother Michal (Chip Decker) imprisoned in the next cell, Katurian’s captors, Tupolski and Ariel (Brian Robinson and Robert Lee Simmons) resort to increasingly absurd and  hilariously unconventional methods to crack the case.

Moving  seamlessly between the brutalities of the cramped interrogation room to the  fantastically grotesque world of Katurian’s imagination, THE PILLOWMAN  explores family secrets and censorship and celebrates the spellbinding power  of storytelling. With its edgy drama and dark comedy, THE PILLOWMAN represents  the most exhilarating writing that contemporary theatre has to offer.

Approximate Run Time 2 hours 45 minutes

Contains adult language and violence. Not recommended for children.
Smoking occurs on stage. A gun shot will be heard.

MEET THE PLAYWRIGHT - Martin McDonagh

Plays include THE PILLOWMAN (Tony nominee, Best Play 2005; Olivier Award Winner 2004), THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE (Olivier Award Winner, Best Comedy 2003), THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE (Tony nominee, Best Play 1998), THE LONESOME WEST (Tony nominee, Best Play 1999), A SKULL IN CONNEMARA, THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN, THE BANSHEES OF INISHEER, THE RETARD IS OUT IN THE COLD, DEAD DAY AT CONEY.

Other works include “Barney Nenagh’s Shotgun Circus,” “Suicide on Sixth Street,” “In Bruges,” “Seven Psychopaths,” “Six Shooter” (Oscar, Best Short 2006).

MEET THE DIRECTOR - Dennis Delamar

Dennis Delamar is the recent recipient of dual MTA Awards, best director of a drama for I AM MY OWN WIFE starring Scott Ripley and best director of a musical for THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL, both ATC productions from last season. For his work with CPCC’s THE WIZARD OF OZ in 2006 and ATC’s I AM MY OWN WIFE, he was named Director of the Year - 2006 by Creative Loafing and Best Director by Charlotte Magazine in the Best of the Best 2007 Awards.

For ATC he also directed Creative Loafing’s #1 show of 2001, ANTON IN SHOW BUSINESS and the #1 show of 2003, FLAMING GUNS OF THE PURPLE SAGE. Other ATC productions helmed by Delamar include YOU SHOULD BE SO LUCKY, PIAF, VISITING MR. GREEN, BOOK OF DAYS, and THE SANTALAND DIARIES starring Mark Scarboro. For ATC he is back this season directing THE PILLOWMAN, OPUS in the spring, and the May remount of I AM MY OWN WIFE at the Booth Playhouse.

MEET THE CAST

Billy Ensley (Katurian) performs and directs regionally and returns to ATC where he has performed in YOU SHOULD BE SO LUCKY, VISITING MR. GREEN, PIAF and HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH.  Billy has directed HEDWIG and BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL for ATC as well.  Some of the companies he has performed or directed for include Blowing Rock Stage Company, Opera Carolina, CPCC Summer Theatre, Opera House Theatre Company, Theatre Charlotte, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte and Spirit Square. 

Recently in Charlotte, Billy has portrayed Judas in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Leo Frank in PARADE, performed in SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE and directed OLIVER!. He has been recognized with awards from Metrolina Theatre Association, Creative Loafing, The Charlotte Observer and Charlotte Magazine’s Best of The Best.  Billy is the C.O.O. for Rexus Corporation, which is an international background screening/investigation company.  Billy would like to thank ATC, Dennis Delamar and the incredible PILLOWMAN cast for this exciting theatre experience.

 Brian Robinson (Tupolski) first worked with ATC in the acclaimed production of TAKE ME OUT in 2004.   A Charlottean, he has worked with many local companies, some unfortunately departed, some still fighting to keep homegrown theatre alive in the Queen City.   In the former category are Charlotte Shakespeare (THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, TWELFTH NIGHT), Charlottetowne Players (CARNIVAL), and the most sorely missed, Charlotte Rep (FALSETTOS, A FEW GOOD MEN, PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE, LEND ME A TENOR, A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS, BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, I LOVE YOU YOU’RE PERFECT…, 1940’S RADIO HOUR).  Along with ATC in the latter category are Children’s Theatre (THE MEMBER OF THE WEDDING, PRINCE BRAT) and CPCC Summer Theatre (MY FAIR LADY, YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU).  He has acted with theatres in Florida, Virginia, South Carolina, and Tennessee, as well as throughout North Carolina. A native Tennessean, he holds degrees from the University of Virginia (BA) and UNC-Chapel Hill (MFA).  He is a proud member of Actors Equity Association.

Robert Lee Simmons (Ariel) is honored to work with such a talented and passionate cast and crew. He offers a very special thanks to Dan, Chip and Dennis for the opportunity to be a part of this powerful team. Robert was most recently seen in the CAST production of OMNIUM GATHERUM.  Previously he played Mr. Marmalade in the BareBones production of MR. MARMALADE.  Robert would also like to thank his family and friends for their persistent positivity. Without your help, a dream wouldn't even come close to a reality.

Chip Decker (Michal) was born and raised in the Green Mountains of Vermont (Yes, I like Ben & Jerry’s. No, I never went “Cow Tippin”) and has lived in Texas, North Dakota and North Carolina. Chip joined Actor’s Theatre in 1996 and became Artistic Director in 2002.

In addition to acting in our productions of DARK RAPTURE, STUMPS, ZARA SPOOK & OTHER LURES, BUG and the REDUCED SHAKESPEARE’S “ABRIDGED” plays, Chip received Creative Loafing’s Best Director (Comedy) Award for our production of WONDER OF THE WORLD, as well as sharing Theatre Person of the Year honors. He also directed the popular POLISH JOKE that opened our 2005-2006 season, directed last season’s THE OLDEST PROFESSION, and will be directing this year’s hilarious SANTALAND DIARIES.

Kristen Jones (Mother) is thrilled to be making her debut at Actor's Theatre of Charlotte in THE PILLOWMAN. Kristen was recently seen as Melanie in the Collaborative Arts Production THE SUBLET EXPERIMENT and as Frances in the Barebones Theatre Group production, FIVE WOMEN WEARING THE SAME DRESS, for which she received an MTA Award. Some of her other favorite roles include Helena in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM and Anna in ANNA KARENINA, which both earned her MTA nominations as well.

In a different production genre, she was also very excited to tie the knot this year with fellow actor Lee Thomas in June 2007! She would like to send a big THANKS to Dennis for the opportunity and for the guidance in learning to embrace her inner weirdo. Also thanks and love to Lee for being Lee.

Lee Thomas (Father) has been seen previously at Actor's Theatre in WONDER OF THE WORLD and ALL THE GREAT BOOKS.

His wife Kristen and he were recently in the apartment-based show THE SUBLET EXPERIMENT. Lee supports his acting habit by selling compliance software to banks across the country for ATTUS Technologies.

He thanks Actor's Theatre, Dennis and the cast, especially Mother.

Amanda Berkowitz (Girl) is thrilled to be making her Actor’s Theatre debut. Amanda began acting at Dilworth School of Visual and Performing Arts, where she appeared in INTO THE WOODS, JR., DEAR EDWINA, and starred as Princess Winnifred in ONCE UPON A MATTRESS.  

Now enrolled at Northwest School of the Arts she is studying Advanced Ballet and Treble Choir.  She enjoys acting, dance, and competitive cheerleading. 

Her latest roles were in Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s WIZARD OF OZ and Northwest School of the Arts production of CINDERELLA.

Alex Aberman (Boy) is excited to be making his professional debut here at Actor's Theatre.  He has previously appeared as "The Martian" in the Children's Theatre OnStage production of THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES, and played clarinet in the pit for the Piedmont Open IB Middle School production of WEST SIDE STORY.  

Alex is in 9th grade in the IB program of Myers Park High School.  He thanks Jill Bloede for recommending him and Dennis Delamar for taking a chance on a rookie.  He also thanks his parents for their support and his sisters for helping him develop focus.  He invites people to see him at his regular gig, most weekends, as a volunteer at the Nature Museum.